Driveway and Block Paving Cleaning Costs Explained

Professional cleaning for a medium block paving driveway of about 60 square metres typically costs between £150 and £250 for the clean alone. If you want the surface sealed afterwards, the total price usually rises to between £300 and £450. A proper job removes slippery moss and weeds, replaces washed out jointing sand, and makes the front of your property safe and smart again.

What professional driveway cleaning involves

Some window cleaning firms offer driveway washing as part of their exterior cleaning services. A professional job follows a set process to protect your property and leave the paving stable. The standard steps are:

1. The driveway is cleared of leaves, loose dirt, weeds, vehicles and any movable items.
2. Nearby doors, walls and fencing may be protected from dirty splashes before the water is turned on.
3. Any pre-treatment for stubborn weeds or algae is applied to the paving.
4. The surface is washed thoroughly to remove dirt and green growth.
5. On block paving, kiln-dried sand is brushed back into the joints once the surface has dried completely.
6. A sealer can then be applied if requested, after which the driveway should usually be left for 24 hours before being driven on.

How much driveway cleaning costs

The table below shows prices by driveway size. These are typical published prices for 2026 based on a standard driveway in average condition.

Local quotes will differ from these figures depending on the exact size and state of your paving.

Prices for block paving, concrete, tarmac and resin

Prices also change depending on the material your driveway is made from. The following table shows typical published prices for a typical 30 to 60 square metre driveway in average condition.

If you prefer to calculate the cost by area, typical published prices for 2026 are about £2.50 to £5.50 per square metre for a standard driveway. Block paving specifically costs around £2.50 to £5.25 per square metre for the clean alone. Re-sanding or sealing adds £5 to £9 per square metre to the bill. You should also expect a minimum charge of around £80 to £120 at many firms.

What pushes the price up or down

The size of your driveway and the surface material are the main starting points for any quote. The condition of the paving is also a major factor. Heavily stained driveways or a large build up of moss, weeds, algae or oil marks can add around £50 to £100 to the total cost. Pre-treatment for weeds or algae is often included in the main quote, but where it is charged separately it typically adds around £2 to £5 per square metre.

Location affects the final bill too. London prices are around £50 to £100 more for the overall job than in the North of the UK. Re-sanding and sealing add significant material and labour costs to the standard wash.

The time spent on site directly affects the labour costs. Most driveway cleaning jobs take one to three hours, although larger or heavily soiled driveways can take longer, as the size table above shows. A full package of cleaning and sealing takes around five to eight hours in total. This longer job is often spread over more than one visit to let the surface dry completely before the sealer goes on.

Why block paving needs new jointing sand

Jet washing blasts the kiln-dried sand out of the joints between the blocks. A good job always includes re-sanding the joints afterwards to keep the paving stable and slow down weed regrowth. The sand must only be brushed back in once the surface has dried completely, otherwise it sticks to the damp blocks and fails to fill the gaps.

If a jet washer is used on block paving, you should check the joints once the paving is dry. You can then top them up with kiln-dried sand where needed to keep the driveway solid.

Is sealing worth paying for?

Sealing is an optional extra that adds a protective layer over the paving. It is most commonly used on block paving, concrete and some resin driveways. Not every surface needs it, and some tarmac and decorative stone may not benefit in the same way.

If you do pay for sealing, you must usually leave the driveway for 24 hours before driving any vehicles on it. Resealing is only necessary when the existing sealer has worn away, so you do not need to pay for this step every time you have the driveway washed.

Run off, drains and your neighbours

According to government pollution prevention guidance for England, any substance not found naturally in an environment could cause pollution, and this includes detergents. Surface water drains in the road discharge directly to the environment, such as local rivers and streams.

A business must make sure that contaminated water from its activities goes into the foul drain, provided they have the water company's permission. Alternatively, the water must be recycled or removed by a registered waste carrier. Causing pollution can bring an unlimited fine. A careful professional firm expects to manage this and keeps dirty wash water out of the road drains.

Doing it yourself or hiring a professional

Hiring a commercial pressure washer usually costs around £20 to £150 per day. Doing the work yourself could save around £50 to £150 in labour compared to paying a professional. The actual financial saving is smaller once hire costs and cleaning supplies are included in your budget.

The Royal Horticultural Society notes that a pressure washer removes growth quickly, but you must use it with care where drainage is poor. Pressure washing uses a lot of water for a temporary result, because green growth returns if the damp conditions stay the same. Goggles should always be worn if you decide to tackle the job yourself.

There are risks to the paving too. Too much pressure marks soft stone and uneven passes can leave stripes on the driveway. Jet washing also washes out the jointing sand. A good professional operator matches the pressure to the surface to avoid damage.

How to manage moss and weeds naturally

Algae, lichens, liverworts and mosses do not damage the hard surfaces they grow on. They can make drives, paths and steps slippery, so they should be controlled where people might slip. Algae thrive in wet conditions and grow much faster in shady areas with poor air circulation.

You will often see a large build up of green growth after a wet winter. Brushing regularly with a stiff broom removes growth and helps stop it taking hold between professional cleans. Pruning overhanging plants to let in sun and air, and improving drainage at the edges, help deter regrowth. Non-chemical methods work perfectly well, so there is no need for moss killers or chemical patio cleaners.

How often to clean a driveway

Driveway cleaning is usually needed once a year to keep the surface safe and looking smart. Regular brushing with a stiff broom keeps the dirt and moss down between annual washes. Resealing is only needed when the old sealer has worn away, so a typical annual visit will just be a wash and a sand top up for block paving.

Questions to ask before you book

Before you agree to a professional clean, ask the firm exactly what their quoted price covers. A reliable operator will be happy to answer these questions:

• Is pre-treatment for weeds and algae included in the price?
• Will you re-sand the block paving joints once the surface is dry?
• Is sealing included in this quote or is it an extra cost?
• Do you apply a minimum call-out charge?
• How will you protect my doors, cars and plants from splashes?
• Where will the dirty run-off water go?
• How long will the job take and will you need to return on a second day?
• Do you hold current public liability insurance?

If you also have paving at the back of your property, our guide to patio jet washing costs explains what to expect for garden surfaces.

Common questions

What is the average cost for a pressure washing job?

The average pressure washing job costs around £300. This figure reflects the jobs booked most often by homeowners, which are usually driveways and patios.

Can you jet wash a tarmac driveway?

Yes, professional cleaning for a tarmac driveway usually costs between £100 and £220. Tarmac is not typically sealed after washing, and the cleaning process normally takes one to four hours.

Will high pressure washing damage my paving?

Too much pressure marks soft stone, and uneven passes can leave visible stripes across the surface. Jet washing also blasts the kiln-dried sand out of block paving joints. A good operator matches the water pressure to the surface to prevent damage.

Do I need moss killers or chemical cleaners for a green driveway?

No. Non-chemical methods work well for removing moss and algae. A professional wash clears the surface, and regular brushing combined with pruning overhanging plants helps stop the green growth coming back.

Next steps and your consumer rights

Take a few simple steps to make sure you get a fair price and a proper job from a local professional:

• Measure your driveway roughly in square metres so you can get an accurate quote over the phone.
• Check whether your paving is concrete, tarmac, resin or block paving.
• Ask three local firms for a fixed quote rather than an estimate.
• Confirm exactly what the quoted price includes, especially re-sanding and sealing.

A trader must do the work with reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If they have not met this standard, Citizens Advice says you can ask them to put the problem right. If the trader cannot or will not fix it, you can ask for a partial or full refund. You should always take photos of the driveway as evidence of poor work. Once a refund amount is agreed between you and the business, it should be paid within 14 days.

A service arranged online, by phone or by mail order carries a 14-day cooling-off period. According to Citizens Advice, this protection also applies to a service agreed when the business approached you away from its premises, for example on the doorstep, as long as the service costs £42 or more. The cooling-off period starts the day after the contract is made. If you asked for the driveway cleaning to start within that 14-day period, the business can keep or charge for what was provided before you cancelled the agreement.

A clean driveway makes your property safer to walk on and greatly improves the look of your home. Take the time to agree the details up front, check the firm is insured, and find a window cleaner near you who offers professional exterior washing.